If you are reading this, you obviously have your power back. Hope all are doing well after the power outage that hit us a few days ago.
Maddie is progressing very slowly toward full bottle feedings. The doctors have begun talking to us and are preparing to perform surgery to insert a feeding tube in her stomach. After talking thoroughly with several doctors as well as nurses, this is the best thing for her and really can be viewed as a positive move. It sounds as though they will do this toward the end of this week and after a 3-4 day recovery period, she will hopefully be able to come home. She may or may not be on oxygen when she comes home, along with the feeding tube.
They have done several additional MRIs on her brain and spinal cord which have come back normal. We are obviously thrilled. Earlier this week, they performed an upper GI which reconfirmed that she has severe acid reflux disease and they will now perform a ph probe on her. This will determine just how severe her reflux is and see if an additional procedure is necessary to prevent damage to her esophagus from the reflux. This procedure would involve wrapping the top part of her stomach around the base of the esophagus which would close it off and eliminate any acid from flowing back into her esophagus from her belly. They will perform this procedure (if they need to) along with the feeding tube surgery.
We know some of this news may not sound all that great, however, you should all know that we are very encouraged with the progress that Maddie has made. The feeding tube is not permanent (we will continue to bottle feed her on a regular basis and the tube will be used to feed her what she does not take from the bottle). It is a means for getting her home as well as getting her the proper nutrition she needs. This will give her the energy and strength she needs to fully recover from all that she has encountered since her birth.
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Rick and Ann
(GO CARDINALS)